Red Bull set to sort Webber's contract before end of summer break

The Australian is due to visit Red Bull's Austrian headquarters early this week to speak to the energy drink's chiefs about his future plans - with it being widely expected that he will be rewarded with another year's extension.

And although comments by Helmut Marko ahead of the Hungarian GP were interpreted as being a sign that Red Bull thinks Webber's 2012 campaign could be his last in F1, Horner sees things differently.

"We are talking to Mark about next year, and I am expecting him to be here next year," explained Horner. "He is a popular member of the team, and he could have another two, three or four years. That is down to him. He is still very competitive and very hungry."

Although Webber's visit to Red Bull prompted talk that he could actually finalise his deal right now, Horner thinks it will be another few weeks before there is firm news.

"We always agreed that at the end of the summer we would sit down and talk, and we are heading into August," he said. "Mark and I have got a very good relationship and conversations with Mark, as you all know, seem to be fairly straightforward.

"Both sides are keen to continue so during the next few weeks we will take the opportunity to sit down, and while we have break in the championship we will look at next year."